Study Abroad Director - Spain

Abilene Christian University•Abilene, TX

About The Position

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU. ‌ ACU Study Abroad seeks nominations and applications for the position of director of ACU’s Valencia international program. This position will be located in Valencia, Spain, and provides overall administrative leadership and management of the program. The primary mission of the Valencia Program is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world through interaction with the global Christian community, academic excellence, the pursuit of wisdom, the practice of humility, and through giving and receiving hospitality. The director must demonstrate an active commitment to the Christian mission of the University and the mission of ACU Study Abroad. Position will begin May 1, 2026, if possible.

Requirements

Must be committed to the Christian mission of Abilene Christian University.
Required to have spent at least 1 year living in a country other than the candidate’s country of origin.
Required to have knowledge of Spanish culture and at least 1 year of experience living in a Spanish city; a minimum of level B2 or C1 Spanish language proficiency is required.
Must be collaborative, engaging with students, and committed to serving as an administrator and an educator.
Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Must have competency in using office software such as Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Spreadsheets); experience with website design preferred.
Required to have a Master’s degree, terminal degree preferred.
Required to have 3 years of experience working with students in US higher education; preference for 1 year of experience working with study abroad college students.
Required to have at least 1 year of managerial experience; preference for at least 1 year of experience managing a study abroad program.
Employment in this position is contingent upon the employee’s possession of, or ability to secure, a valid work visa in Spain.

Nice To Haves

Preferred knowledge of Abilene Christian University, private faith-based institutions, or international programs model similar to that of Abilene Christian University.
Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Direct the academic and curricular programming including recruitment, hiring, orientation and support of local faculty and faculty-in-residence.
Provide operational oversight for ACU’s residential facilities abroad, including the management of local operational staff and maintenance contracts/personnel.
Plan and coordinate program calendars with ACU Abilene and local university partners.
Plan and coordinate all program events with our local partners including Opening and Closing Events, local excursions, international excursions and holiday events.
Liaise with the Executive Director of International Education and the Study Abroad office to plan course offerings, hire adjunct faculty, coordinate internships, and assist with curricular assessment.
Hire, supervise staff in accordance with local labor law and ACU best practices.
Support Abilene Christian University's Faculty-in-Residence by providing guidance, resources, and clarity of role in the program.
Engage students with the local community by developing opportunities and programs that incentivize interaction with local citizens and cooperation with local university partners.
Plan and coordinate international travel and local field trips including leadership and annual participation in two Educational Field Trips outside of Spain.
Plan and coordinate all transportation for student arrival and departure.
Lead all student development activities including promoting community bonding, mentoring, upholding community standards, and mediating disputes.
Serve as the primary disciplinary officer in coordination with ACU IP Disciplinary Council and the Office of Student Life.
Plan and execute weekly devotionals in accordance with the integrated spiritual formation curriculum.
Manage and all immigration documentation required for student visas, entry, and departure according to local law. Coordinate with ACU Abilene’s domestic visa process.
Manage and coordinate local transportation passes for students and faculty.
Oversee and coordinate support for students’ health and well-being, emergency response protocols, counseling resources, and student accessibility services.
Support all Interns and RAs through mentorship and leadership development.
Manage program budget and local payments.
Oversee management of local residential and academic facilities.
Uphold the University mission through work performed.
Perform other duties as assigned.